Duplin student takes gun to school

WARSAW -- A 16-year-old James Kenan High student was charged and expelled Tuesday after being caught with a weapon at school.

Duplin Sheriff's Captain Tim Jones said the teen was charged with possession of a weapon on school grounds and carrying a concealed weapon. He was placed under $50,000 bond.

Jones would not divulge the teen's name because, although the student will be tried as an adult, he is still considered a juvenile.

Toward the end of the school day, school officials said, Assistant Principal Tony Faison received a report that the teen might have a weapon on him.

"The school safety plan was immediately put in place," School Superintendent Wiley Dobey said. "James Kenan officials and the Duplin County Sheriff's Office worked collaboratively and expediently to handle the situation in the safest manner possible."

The weapon was confiscated, and the student was removed from the campus by Sheriff's officers.

The offense brought an automatic suspension from school for 365 days.

"We still don't know if it was gang related," Jones said. "It was just him alone as far as we know."